Advanced Search

ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

Neglecting 948.xx Is a No-No on Burn Claims

Published on Fri Oct 01, 2010

Question: When I am diagnosis coding for burn victims, do I need to include a code from the 948.xx set on every claim? Wisconsin Subscriber Answer: Yes, once you locate code(s) to represent the patient's burn(s), find the appropriate code from 948.xx (Burns classified according to event of body surface involved) as a secondary diagnosis. The 948.xx codes can also serve as primary diagnoses when the site of the burn is unspecified, according to ICD-9 2009. Reason: This code helps paint a better picture of the patient's injuries: the fourth digit in the 948.xx code represents the total body surface area (TBSA) burned, and the last digit indicates how much of the TBSA suffered third-degree burns. You'll employ the "Rule of Nines" to select the fourth and fifth digits. The Rule matches percentages and body areas thusly: • head and neck, the right arm, and the left arm each equal [...]
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

View All